Page 106 of Guardians of the Assassins
Morgan huddled against Caedmon, too exhausted to explain anything.
Words weren’t necessary when the villagers turned away from the fire one by one and knelt before her, their heads bowed low. Tears spilled down Petre’s face as he gazed at her. “If you ever need anything, you only have to ask. This is a debt that I can never repay.”
The rest of the people nodded, giving the same vow.
After a few minutes, they rose and stepped into the darkness, vanishing from one moment to the next, until only the vampires remained. “But what about the infection?”
Petre pulled up his leg to show the infection had already started to retreat. The pustule had been lanced, the angry green lines fading before her eyes. “I suspect the last of it will be gone by morning.”
Moving as one, nearly a hundred vampires bowed to her, then turned on their heel and disappeared in a blur of speed that made them look like a shadow passing over the land.
Leaving her alone with her mates.
“We need to get moving before it gets dark.” Caedmon pushed himself to his feet, gazing down at her curled up in Atlas’s arms.
Morgan frowned up at him. “Okay, you guys keep saying that. Why are you so afraid of the dark?”
His eyebrows shot up, and he glanced back at Atlas in surprise, muttering to himself. “Of course no one would’ve told you.”
“Told me what?” Morgan reluctantly pushed herself upright, glancing around them suspiciously, wondering what would come after them next. She traced the silver and black mating marks on her arms, unconsciously seeking comfort. They warmed under her touch, and if she closed her eyes, she’d almost swear the others were near.
Caedmon crouched in front of her, speaking softly. “The Wild Hunt rides at night throughout Faerie.”
“Oh, that.” Morgan waved him off and snuggled back againstAtlas. “Ambrose and his men are great. Breanna would be pissed if her mate tried to harm me.” When the guys continued to gawk at her, she scanned each of them and breathed a sigh of relief. “Besides, none of us are marked. They won’t come for us.”
Caedmon deflated a little, scooping her up in his arms, and began walking. Morgan snuggled against his chest, too tired to protest. Atlas walked next to them, looking almost good as new, and the tension in her shoulders melted away. She flashed a smile at her mates. “I know a quaint little stone cottage in the woods that will be empty—the perfect place to rest for the night.”
“You would want to go back into a forest that is literally on fire?” Atlas gazed down at her in concern, his umber eyes glinting red in the night.
“When you phrase it that way, it makes me sound?—”
“Tired.” Caedmon leaned down and kissed her forehead. “Sleep. I will carry you.”
She should’ve protested.
No matter how strong, there was no way he could hold her weight all night…then his yellow eyes flashed, and she allowed her eyes to close, knowing his beast could handle whatever came. “M’kay.”
When the rocking movements stopped, Morgan woke groggy and disoriented. They’d only been walking about an hour. She perked up at the sound of rushing water, then frowned when the chirping of an animal in distress reached her ears. She twisted and saw a young hippogriff mired in mud along the river, as if she’d been trying to get a drink and became stuck.
Morgan was awed by the majestic creature. The hippogriff should’ve looked awkward and ungainly—she had the legs, wings, and head of a giant eagle, while the body, hind legs, and tail of a horse—but Morgan had never seen anything so beautiful.
“Put me down.” Morgan shoved at Caedmon’s chest, her heart aching at the creature’s distress. When his arms tightened around her, she glanced up at him in confusion. “What’s wrong?”
“We need to reach the castle before they close the gates. The guards will be patrolling soon, and we can’t be caught outside the walls.” Caedmon tightened his hold and began heading toward the bridge in the distance.
The hippogriff gave a warbling chirp, too tired and exhausted to fight any longer, and Morgan just couldn’t leave the beast. It had nothing to do with the trial…it was just the right thing to do. She placed her hand on Caedmon’s chest.
He instantly stopped, like her hand had the power to keep him in place. He gave a defeated sighed, his shoulders drooping, and he gently lowered her to the ground without saying a word.
She leaned up and brushed her lips over his cheek. “Thank you.”
Atlas stood with his arms crossed, his legs splayed, shaking his head at the other man, an amused twinkle in his eyes.
Caedmon rolled his eyes, his expression all grumbly. “Don’t even pretend that you would’ve been able to resist her.”
Atlas just arched a brow. “Touché.”
When the three of them approached the massive beast, the muddy creature tried to rear back, frantic to escape.
